Customs officer dies from Covid-19

A customs official died from Covid-19 early today while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka, according to National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The deceased -- Jasim Uddin Mazumder  (55) -- had been undergoing treatment at Anwer Khan Modern Hospital in Dhaka where he breathed his last around 2:00am, said NBR Senior Information Officer Syed A Momen in a text message.

He is the first revenue officer who died from coronavirus in the country, Momen said.

Jasim was infected with Covid-19 while working at the ICD section of Chattogram Customs House a week ago, our Chattogram correspondent reports quoting Nur-E-Hanat Anosuya, assistance commissioner of the customs house.

Until today, 35 customs and VAT officials as well as two tax officials have been diagnosed with coronavirus, said Momen.

NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem and Bangladesh Customsand VAT Executive Officers Association expressed deep condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Contacted, Fakhrul Alam, commissioner of the Chattogram Customs House, said, "The customs house was open round-the-clock during the closure. Though we have taken several measures to fight the novel coronavirus, maintaining social distancing is quite impossible as a huge number of service recipients coming every day."

"We are trying our best but still it's a gigantic task to ensure social distancing among all these people," he said, adding that they already requested the health department to set up a separate coronavirus testing booth for them.